The Best Resources for New Managers

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Hunting for the best resources for new managers? Whether you’ve been recently promoted to management status or are hoping to get to a supervisor level in the near future, there are many good resources for new managers that are worth checking out, including blogs, videos, books, and podcasts. 

We’ve rounded up some of our favorites (as well as reader suggestions) for first-time managers below, but we'd love to hear from you! What do you think are the best resources for new managers? If you've recently been promoted to manager level, what resources have been the most helpful? What would you recommend to younger women looking to make it to management? 

(Of course, don't forget to check out our previous posts with advice for new managers, including how to become a better manager, online women’s management training, how to become a better communicator, must-read business books, and how to become a leader. We've also talked about executive presence for women leaders, and you may want to check out our tips on how to step up your working wardrobe to get that promotion.)

1. Ask a Manager: Alison Green has been sharing wisdom with managers (and the rest of us!) on her blog since 2007. She has also written a book, she hosts a weekly podcast, and her advice has been published by national publications. A search for “first-time manager” on her site resulted in several results, including her article in U.S. News and World Report with advice for new managers, and a list of the five most important things she says a first-time manager should know, but a Corporette reader suggested putting time aside every week or so to catch up on her posts. As a bonus, the reader comments on Ask a Manager can be helpful as well. Green's list of her favorite posts of all time will get you started.
2. Harvard Business ReviewWhile HBR is known in the business world for providing results of studies about leadership, their online articles, as well as videos (both on the site and on their YouTube channel), are also valuable to new managers. HBR also offers books about management skills, plus advice for new managers, including a two-book offer for a “New Manager's Collection” that includes 10 Must Reads for New Managers and Harvard Business Review Manager’s Handbook. In 2018, they launched the Women at Work podcast — the third episode is focused on leading with authenticity.
3. The First 90 Days:Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarterby Michael Watkins (2013) (affiliate link): A reader suggested this book, and the title says it all. It also has a ranking of 4.4 stars on Amazon and is no. 7 in the Kindle Store for “management skills.” The Economist has called it “the on-boarding bible.” Genesis Advisors, which Watkins co-founded with Shawna Slack, also has training programs, including a complementary online program for all management levels.
4. First Round Review’s Management Magazine: Another reader suggested the “Management” tab on First Round Review's website. While the site provides resources aimed at new businesses, the information can be applied to various industries. Recent posts have included their six must-reads for first-time managers to hit the ground running, how to build and maintain employee motivation, and creating and accelerating trust on teams.
5. Manager Tools: This reader-recommended podcast was started by two former managers and West Point graduates in 2005. The company also offers online trainings, conferences for managers, downloadable forms that complement the podcasts, and other manager resources. First-time managers may want to start with Manager Tools “Basics,” which includes podcasts about how to be effective at one-on-one meetings, feedback, coaching, and delegation.
6. The Balance Careers: Management and Leadership: This site offers helpful advice to managers at all levels. This post for new managers offers 15 tips, including why you should be prepared even before you are promoted, and how to be an effective leader in your new role in the office.
7. Forbes: Forbes‘ Leadership tab shares several helpful resources for managers, including a recent article, “4 Ways to Master Your First-Time Manager Role.” Forbes also offers podcasts, including interviews with leaders; “Mentoring Moments,” which features advice from successful women; and business news to help you stay on top of your game when it comes to your industry.

Are there any blogs, videos, books, or podcasts we missed? Any other resources you'd add to this list that you would recommend to first-time managers or those looking to take on management positions at some point? Any general advice that goes beyond these resources? Let us know!

Some must-read business books for women — update coming soon!

3 Comments

  1. Kat, I would have LOVED to have this resource when we hired Mason, and I was his first manager, and he was my first associate. I kind of let him run rampent, trying to get him to do stuff for me, but at the same time, NOT cracking down when he started ooogeling Lynn, then dateing her and the coo dey grass, haveing s-x with her on the conference room table! FOOEY! I should have stepped up right away and made him do work with me more closeley so that he did NOT go to far a field. When we let him go his father was concerned, but when the manageing partner relayed what he had done, Mason’s father agreed that he needed to calm down and not think through his genetal’s like he was doieing.

    The morale for the rest of the HIVE is to keep close watch on your new hires so that they onley do what they are supposed to do and NOT do what they are NOT supposed to do. YAY!!!!!!

  2. Kat, I forgot to alert the hive that Harvard Business School has an excelent Executive Program that people like us can attend while NOT putting our career’s on hold. I just read an article about being AGILE as a manager. HBS argue’s that today’s highly competitive business environment is all about agility! As companies and law firm’s strive to increase productivity while adapting more quickly to changing markets, we have to increasingly look to agile innovation teams as the solution. That means WE, as members of our firm’s and the HIVE must be agile. We need to be abel to examine how and where to incorporate agile teams or, at the very least, agile values. HBS also provide’s a step-by-step process for creating and integrating agility across the organization! YAY!!

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